Creative Advertising, B.A.
Program Overview
BYU’s Creative Advertising emphasis prepares students for careers in top agencies worldwide through hands-on experience in the award-winning, student-led AdLab. With access to industry mentors, world-renowned client projects, and cutting-edge technology, students develop creative expertise and strategic thinking, graduating ready to excel in the competitive advertising world.
How to apply
Create Big Ideas, Launch Bold Careers
The AD Creative emphasis at BYU’s School of Communications offers a world-class undergraduate experience through its student-run agency, the AdLab. Students collaborate with global brands and top agencies like Nike, Gatorade, and Airbnb, gaining real-world experience under professional mentorship.
The AdLab’s award-winning projects and state-of-the-art resources provide students with opportunities to innovate and excel in advertising. Graduates leave prepared to lead in the advertising industry, joining alumni at some of the world’s top agencies.
The AdLab’s award-winning projects and state-of-the-art resources provide students with opportunities to innovate and excel in advertising. Graduates leave prepared to lead in the advertising industry, joining alumni at some of the world’s top agencies.
#1
CREATIVE AD PROGRAM
One Club for Creativity
BEST
Advertising Program
College Magazine
100%
Placement
Advertising Creative Track
WELCOME TO THE ADLAB
Students in the AdLab collaborate with global brands like Nike, Gatorade, and Airbnb, gaining real-world experience through client projects, professional mentorship, and cutting-edge tools. They participate in award-winning campaigns, compete in national advertising competitions, and develop skills that prepare them to excel in top agencies worldwide.
Student Outcomes
Graduates of BYU’s AD Creative program are highly sought after, with alumni working at top agencies like Wieden+Kennedy, Droga5, and Ogilvy on campaigns for global brands like Apple, Spotify, and Puma. Known for their creativity and hands-on experience in the award-winning AdLab, BYU graduates are ready to excel in the competitive advertising industry.
Career Services
Alumni & Student Stories
Interested in seeing what our students and graduates have been up to? Take a scroll…
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Pretzels and Prose: BYU Alum Jon Fischer Starts a New Chapter
BYU Communications Alum Jon Fischer Discusses the Nonlinear Path of the Professional World and the Importance of Staying True to Who You Are and What You Love To Do
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Learning and Brand Marketing With Communications Alum Patrick Jones
Advertising Alum Patrick Jones Reflects on His Unexpected Path From Military Life to the World of Marketing Luxury Brands
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McKinnley Matson on Navigating a Career in Communications
BYU Communications Alum McKinnley Matson Shares How She Found Her Passion For a Career in Airline Communications
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BYU Student to Olympic Broadcaster: Todd Harris on Journalism
From Producing News as a Student to Calling the Olympic Games, Brigham Young University Alum Todd Harris Explores His Journalism Career.
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Derek Westra’s Thoughts on Faith, Facts and Fiction
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Reputation Manager Derek Westra Speaks Candidly With Communications Students About Faith and Media
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Paige Holland on Developing Voices of Light and Truth
Paige Holland Shares the Importance of Using the Gift of Voice at the Fall 2025 Beckham Lecture
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‘Hold Strong, Hold Fast:’ How BYU Alum Uses Politics And Firefighting to Serve Uganda and Nigeria
BYU Communications Alum Edward Wright’s Career in Geopolitics, Service and Public Safety in Africa
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Rising Voices, Winning Stories: BYU Comms Students Honored in Prestigious Summer 2025 Competitions
BYU Communication Students Earned Top Honors in Journalism, PR, Advertising, and Media Arts on National and International Stages.
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Communications Alumni Spotlight: Tiffany Austin
Join Us in Getting to Know Tiffany Austin, a CFAC Alum Who Graduated in 2005 with a Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Communications Studies!
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Public Relations Alum Colin Wylie on Sharing the Giving Machine With Columbus, Ohio
With the Help of a Miniature LEGO Replica, Colin Wylie Helps Spread the Word About a New Giving Machine
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Photo Essay: A Look Into Alum Emma Benson's Life as a Journalist
With Features About First Responders, Organ Donors and More, Emma Benson is Using Her Storytelling Skills for Good
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Deseret News VP Emily Hellewell on Problem Solving and Variety in the Field of Communications
BYU Public Relations Alum Emily Hellewell Shares Her Experience in the Communications Industry
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STUDENT RESOURCES
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Academic Advising
Receive help with class registration, academic planning, and more.
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Professionalism Policy
Discover how the School of Communications prepares you for the workplace.
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Courses
Freshman Year
Sophomore Year
Junior Year
Senior Year
Electives
1st Semester
All students, regardless of intended concentration, must take and pass (with a grade of B or higher) the following prerequisites:
WRTG 150 (3.0 credits)
COMMS 101 (3.0 credits)
Religion Cornerstone course (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (5.0 credits)
UNIV 101 (2.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0 credits
2nd Semester
A HTG 100 (3.0 credits)
Religion Cornerstone course (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (10.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0 credits
3rd Semester
COMMS 230 (3.0 credits)
Religion Cornerstone course (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (10.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0 credits
Apply to the major in January, after taking the prerequisites and passing them with a "B" or better.
4th Semester
COMMS 300 (3.0 credits)
COMMS 304 (3.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (7.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0 credits
First Spring Term After Admittance to Program
COMMS 309* (3.0 credits)
COMMS elective (3.0 credits)
Total Hours 6.0 credits
*COMMS 309 MUST be taken in the first Spring Term after you are admitted or your program will be delayed 1 year.
5th Semester
COMMS 371R* (3.0 credits)
COMMS 330 (3.0 credits)
Religion Cornerstone course (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (7.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0
6th Semester
COMMS 331 (3.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (7.0 credits)
COMMS 371R* (3.0 credits)
Total Hours 15.0
Spring/Summer
COMMS 496R** or equivalent (3.0 credits)
Total Hours 3.0
*COMMS 371R must be taken twice before graduation and various sections will be offered.
**Students will take 6.0 credits from Requirement 7, Creative Study Abroad, or one of these options:
COMMS 491R
COMMS 496R
COMMS 497R
COMMS 498R
7th Semester
COMMS 433 (3.0 credits)
COMMS 335 (3.0 credits)
Religion elective (2.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (4.0 credits)
COMMS 371R* (3.0 credits)
Total Credits 15.0
8th Semester
COMMS 489 (3.0 credits)
General Education courses and/or general electives (6.0 credits)
COMMS 371R* (3.0 credits)
COMMS 498R** (3.0 credits)
Total Credits 15.0
Spring/Summer
COMMS 496R or mentored experience (3.0 credits)
Total Credits 3.0
*COMMS 371R must be taken twice before graduation and various sections will be offered.
**Students will take 6.0 credits from Requirement 7, Creative Study Abroad, or one of these options:
COMMS 491R
COMMS 496R
COMMS 497R
COMMS 498R
COMMS 301 - Media History and Culture (3.0 credits)
COMMS 302 - Popular Culture and Media (3.0 credits)
COMMS 351 - Media Technology and Audiences (3.0 credits)
COMMS 411 - Media Effects and Health (3.0 credits)
COMMS 416 - Civic Communication and Public Advocacy (3.0 credits)
COMMS 481 - Family, Gender, and Media (3.0 credits)
COMMS 482 - Religion, Media, and Society (3.0 credits)
COMMS 302 - Popular Culture and Media (3.0 credits)
COMMS 351 - Media Technology and Audiences (3.0 credits)
COMMS 411 - Media Effects and Health (3.0 credits)
COMMS 416 - Civic Communication and Public Advocacy (3.0 credits)
COMMS 481 - Family, Gender, and Media (3.0 credits)
COMMS 482 - Religion, Media, and Society (3.0 credits)
AD CREATIVE FACULTY
Mark Callister
Professor: Associate Dean in the College of Fine Arts and Communications
Advertising
188 WCO
801-422-6143
mark_callister@byu.edu
Advertising
188 WCO
801-422-6143
mark_callister@byu.edu
Jason Freeman
Professor: Associate Director - Undergraduate Studies
Advertising
360C BRMB
801-422-4947
jason_freeman@byu.edu
Advertising
360C BRMB
801-422-4947
jason_freeman@byu.edu
